Washburn Council ponder benefits for employees

Wednesday, November 28, 2012By Melonie Roberts

Members of the Washburn City Council are looking into the possibility of obtaining health benefits for full-time city employees, depending on the cost of that package. The move came during the council's regular September meeting.

"We have to see what's out there and what our funding looks like," said City Clerk Julie Grillone. "It has to be affordable."

Aldermen are also checking into the cost of a small utility vehicle, a mule, for utilities work. The vehicle has a small cargo area and is designed to carry two adults.

Aldermen are going to check prices through Missouri State Surplus Property in Jefferson City. Plans are to budget for the expense and purchase one at a later date.

In other business, aldermen gave their stamp of approval to replace approximately 200 feet of one-inch line on High Street that was inadvertently left out of the water system upgrade. Materials have already been purchased as part of the major system upgrade, which should have included the High Street location.

In final business, aldermen approved a wage increase of 16-cents per hour for Officer Justin Ruark, bringing his hourly wage to $9.75.